Manchild

Neneh Cherry

About Manchild

"Manchild" is a 1989 single recorded by Neneh Cherry, released as the second single from her debut album, Raw Like Sushi. The single was a top 10 success in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and several European countries. "Manchild" did not chart in the United States or Canada. It was the first song Neneh sat down and wrote. She composed the song on a Casio keyboard (the same one she uses to this day), using an auto-chord setting and ended up with 7 chords in the verse alone. Neneh's stepfather Don Cherry commented on this praisingly, comparing it to a jazz song structure. Nellee Hooper did the beat for the song and wrote the rap with Robert Del Naja. Neneh then gave it to Cameron McVey, who helped to shape the song with the parts and "made it make sense"The song's lyrics are "directed at a full-grown man who has a little more growing up to do". Neneh expressed the significance of the song for herself, stating it's where she found her sound: "I think "Manchild" was the song where I kind of found my style. I think that song, the style of the song, the spirit and the feeling of the song has reappeared, it always reappears along the way in other songs that I've written; therefore it became the most significant song that I ever wrote, in a way". 


3:51

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

OK, you're on your own, it's late
Your girlfriend is on another date with the hero in your dream
Turn around, ask yourself. So, you think you're gonna win this time Manchild? 
Is it the pain of the drinking
Or the Sunday sinking feeling
The car never seems to work
When it's late your girlfriend's on a date
And the hero with her in your dream
In your sleep it seemed to like you
Turn around and ask yourself
Turn around ask yourself 

Manchild, will you ever win
Manchild, look at the state you're in 
Could you go undercover
And sell your brand new lover (could you)
Be someone else for a night
Maybe someone else will love you
You sell your soul for a tacky song
Like the one you hear on the radio
Turn around ask yourself
Turn around and ask yourself 

Manchild, will you ever win
Manchild, look at the state you're in
Manchild, he will make you cry
Manchild, Manchild, Manchild 

From Monday down to Friday
You're working on another man's car
Or is it in the factory?
It doesn't matter where you are 
Just turn around and ask yourself is this communication
Accentuate the positive and give some illustration
See Manchild, you're no one, you turn the microphone on
Control communication when I'm kickin' it and so on
To the point that I need, the air that I breathe
Into an audience that's waiting and ecstatic to receive-
For the meantime another mean rhyme, I keep on sayin' it
I know what the time is the crowd will keep playing it
Through the speaker boxes loud's my diagnosis
'Cause I believe in miracles and words in heavy doses.
Enough R-E-S-P-E and C-T
Respect yourself express no stress the mike is easy
Just believe that all you need is the air that you breathe. 
Turn around ask yourself 

Manchild, will you ever win
Manchild, look at the state you're in
Manchild, he will make you cry
Manchild, Manchild, Manchild

He's the apple of your eye 
Once bitten twice shy, why don't you bite me again
Just take it in the right and go tell your friend
Are you ready for the words I turn the microphone on
A figure of speech to reach you at the back and so on
The style I'm stimulating dance floors
Raise your body temperature now and
This demands for power in the amp you know louds my diagnosis
'Cause I believe in miracles and words in heavy doses.

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!


Neneh Cherry

Neneh Mariann Cherry (born Neneh Mariann Karlsson; 10 March 1964) is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster. Blending hip hop with other influences, Cherry experienced mainstream success with several of her recordings. more »

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Written by: CHERRY, ROBERT, CAMERON DEL NAJA, NENEH MC VEY

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"Manchild" was released in March 1989 as the second single from Neneh Cherry's debut studio album "Raw Like Sushi."
Global Success
The song was a global hit and peaked at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart.
Collaborators
The song was co-written and produced by Robert Del Naja and Cameron McVey. Del Naja, also known as 3D, is a member of British trip hop group Massive Attack.
Genre
"Manchild" falls under the genre of Electronic, Dance, and Hip Hop, and it is characterized by its fusion of rap vocals with a poppy beat and synth sound.
Music Video
The music video for "Manchild" was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, a renowned French fashion photographer and music video director.
Awards
For her work on "Manchild", Neneh Cherry won the category for "Best New Artist" at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards.
Originality
"Manchild" is praised for its originality and ahead-of-its-time sound, which paved the way for later artists experimenting with genre fusion.
Lyrics
The lyrics in "Manchild" speak of maturity and personal growth, with Cherry urging the song’s subject to step up and act like an adult.
Cover Versions
"Manchild" was covered by British electronic band The Prodigy for their 2005 album "Their Law: The Singles 1990–2005."
Legacy
Besides its success on the charts, "Manchild"'s influence can be seen in the way artists since have blended genres, made politically and socially conscious music, and pushed the boundaries of what's expected in pop music.

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